Broken Dreams
Harvest Memories: Gordon Lightfoot's Nostalgic Ode to Country Living
Lyrics
Born in the country and I like that country smile
Born in the country and appreciating the genuine and warm smiles of the children there.
Of the little girls and boys, they remind me of a child
Reflecting on the innocence of children, reminiscent of a child from the past.
That I knew and a big harvest moon
Mentioning a nostalgic memory associated with a significant harvest moon.
That shone by supper time in the dusty afternoon
Describing a dusty afternoon where the moon shone brightly by supper time.
And I need to be there when the autumn wind goes
Expressing the desire to be present when the autumn wind blows through, perhaps for a comforting experience.
Singing through the trestle we would climb
Recalling climbing a trestle, accompanied by the sound of the wind and a sense of adventure.
Like brave mountaineers
Comparing the experience to that of brave mountaineers, suggesting courage and resilience.
We never were much bothered by time
Highlighting a carefree attitude towards time, unaffected by its constraints.
Born in the country and I like that country song
Expressing a fondness for country songs and the joy of performing for a small fee when in town.
We played for just a nickel every time we got to town
Revealing a humble reward for their performances, emphasizing simplicity.
And I bought you a dime diamond ring
Recalling a romantic gesture of buying a modest diamond ring in the hayloft, where imagination turned them into royalty.
In the hayloft we would play, we were princesses and kings
And I need to be there when the world
Describing the weight of the world and shadows crossing the mind as a metaphorical challenge.
Gets too heavy and the shadows cross my mind
Continuing the analogy of brave mountaineers, facing difficulties without being greatly troubled by time.
Like brave mountaineers
We never were much bothered by time
Reiterating the theme of resilience and a carefree attitude toward the passage of time.
Born in the country and I like that country way
Expressing an appreciation for the country way of life, including family gatherings and card games.
Of the uncles aunts and cousins, and the card games they would play
Depicting a scene of family life with uncles, aunts, and cousins engaged in card games.
While the young ones slept overhead
Describing a tranquil moment with children sleeping overhead and the warmth of mother-made quilts.
Beneath the quilts that mother made, when all the prayers were said
And I need to be there when the autumn wind
Repeating the image of singing winds through a trestle, linked to a sense of adventure and exploration.
Goes singing through the trestle we would climb
Restating the analogy of brave mountaineers, facing challenges without being overly concerned about time.
Like brave mountaineers
We never were much bothered by time
Emphasizing resilience in the face of worldly challenges and shadows that pass through the mind.
And I need to be there when the world
Reiterating the need to be present during difficult times and shadowy thoughts, akin to the bravery of mountaineers.
Gets too heavy and the shadows cross my mind
Describing the weight of the world and shadows crossing the mind as a recurring challenge.
Like brave mountaineers
Continuing the metaphor of brave mountaineers, resilient in the face of challenges, unaffected by time.
We never were much bothered by time
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